"Good Morning America" viewers were preparing to see Robin Roberts exit on Friday in order to take an extended medical leave, but the morning show host has had to depart a little earlier than expected.

On Thursday's "GMA," Roberts explained that she was leaving the ABC morning show a day early in order to tend to her ailing mother.

Roberts is set to head home to Mississippi along with her older sister, Sally-Ann, to visit their 88-year-old mother, "the matriarch of our family," Roberts told viewers Thursday, according to ABC.

"Our beloved mother ... has had some health issues recently," Roberts said, "and it's gotten to the point that Sally-Ann and I need to get home, so I'm leaving a day early for that."

The extended medical leave follows Roberts' announcement in June that she's been diagnosed with MDS, a rare blood disorder that affects one's bone marrow. Thankfully, Roberts' sister Sally-Ann is a bone marrow match, and the "GMA" host is scheduled to start her treatments for a bone marrow transplant next week.

"There's a point that really resonates with me when I think about this time of my life. Life provides losses and heartbreak for all of us, but the greatest tragedy is to have the experience and miss the meaning," Roberts said. "I am determined not to miss that meaning, because through it I have discovered that I have been given many gifts, gifts that will carry me through this difficult time."

She'll be back to "Good Morning America," she added, "as soon as I can."

soundoff(117 Responses)

Melinda Shaw

Robin I just want to send my condolences for you mother. I have so much respect for you. You don't know this but you are such an inspiration to me. I have been so sick, I've lost 2 jobs and I watch you every morning and see your beautiful smile and the faith and strength you show everyone everyday. I pray for you every night and that the sweet Dear Lord will heal you and continue to give you strength . I wish I could meet you one day, You are like an Angel sent from heaven, to show the whole world how strong you are. I gather strength from you everyday. I love your beautiful smile :))) Well Robin I would love to get just an E-Mail from you. My sickness is no where close to what your experiencing but Im trying to get help and every morning when I see your beautiful smile on GMA that actually gives me strength just to get out of bed.. We all love you, and If I could take away your pain or help in any way I would love it.

It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!

So sorry to hear about your mom as you begin treatment. You will be missed at GMA. I just started watching this year and you really seem like a family who care about each other and we are all included on the fun. I was so glad to hear the Protection Pray your mom taught the kids and would love to see it posted so I could get a copy. I will be praying for a good recovery and that you will be back soon.

Robin, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss seeing your smiling face, but look forward to the day you are well enough to be back on the air! I am an ovarian cancer survivor and can relate to the difficulty you face in trying to rid yourself of this disease. It was wonderful to see you have such a great support team. I will be yet another prayer warrior for you!

Robin, be strong and encouraged in the Lord. My prayers are with you and your entire family. Your God shall see you through this time of sorrow and as part of the Body of Christ, your Mom is with our Heavenly Father. I believe He has said "Well done my good and faithful servant!!!"

I am sending you a prayer tonight. I want the best for you. You are a very pleasant person to watch and hear on T.V. My heart goes out to you during this time. Go through the experience of losing your most cherished loved one. Feel it. Know you will miss her, but also know that you were so blessed to have her as long as you did. 88 years!!! and for great significant moments in your own life. That's a gift that will keep on giving for the remainder of your life. God bless you and your family, always.

Robin I just found out that your Mom passed last night. I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family. It was wonderful to hear that you were there with her. It is such a hard time for you now, but as we all know there is a reason for everything and God does not give us anything we can't handle. Your such a strong lady I know you will get through all of this. My prayers will be with you everyday. You are such an insperation to me. Lots of love and hugs coming your way. God Bless....

many blessings...i was diagnosed w/colon cancer in 2009...i've had it go to my liver, and then diagnosed w/stage IV ..you'll be fine...BETTER than fine because God has a lot more work for you to do to help clean up the messes people create...a lot of people prefer to get the news, good or bad from you. genuine people are hard to find...and you are a member of that rare breed....so do what you have to do...and get back to us...you can do it...you're giving a lot of people hope who thought they had none. let the Lord lead you...He's got bigger plans for you...i have more surgery on 9/11 in san fran. i'll be praying for you and your mother..i don't worry because God is still in charge.

I for one will be praying for her, she is a rare gem in the journalist profession. Good luck angel and hope you come back stronger and live a long life. Keep putting organic food and little meat in you diet and please be optimistic even on the worst days.

I for one and very glad that Robin is making her illness public. How many of you have actually heard of this illness?? My father died from MDS, after suffering many years, living through blood transfusions as often as every 2 weeks. I applaud her openness and hope this will make an obscure illness like Myeloid Dysplastic Syndrome a face, a name, attention and with all of that comes more funding, more drugs, more hope for those diagnosed.

Thank you Robin Roberts for your bravery and all your years of wonderful service to the news and our lives.

You know John, when you leave low class, rude, arrogant messages like you did .... it only makes you look like a fool. An unclassy, nasty, uneducated idiot .... congratulations, you sir have done a great job of that.

Robin I just wanted to say you are in my prayers. You are a strong woman and a leader for all women never give up because you can fight no matter what you are going through. You have a team of colleagues and fans who are there for you so we all can say Good Morning Robin.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May you have a speedy recovery!.. Good Luck and God Bless..
Stay strong, they will be days when you feel you can't go on, just remember you have a great many people praying and thinking of you... Wear your jamies, read your velet note book, and drink your RC.. I will miss seeing you in the morning, but I know you will be back soon!.. Love always.

Wow, you are a very, very mean and insensitive person! Someone is going through something very scary and life threatening, and you make fun of their name. I am a cancer survivor myself and find you very offensive! While I am praying for Robin, I will also say a prayer for you.

I don't watch a lot of television, but I love to tune in to Robin and the gang in the morning in order to psych myself up to go to work. I think Robin has been handling her situation with grace and style, and wish her and her family nothing but the best.

CNN, I have to admit, Bro is right to ask the question. Why is this NEWS WORTHY??? NEWS worthy is what will happen on November 6. And I want to introduce to America, our new President of the United States, Mitt Romney our savior of the Obama Economic Disaster!!!!!

Spleef, that's kind of a dumb post. This may not be a "breaking news" item or the overriding story of the day, but there are items that are newsworthy that are not tied to the election. It's a bit of news. Not earth-shattering, but a tidbit of news. It fits the description (you took the time not only to read it but to comment on it), unless you're one of those people who try to relate everything under the Sun to politics. How about just wishing the woman well and moving on? Or better yet, how about just moving on?

Doc, get a life. This is no more NEWS worthy than the current millions on this planet with the same condition and they don't have their picture plastered all over the place. This is just another way that media outlets MISUSE their resources (air time) for their own ambitions and bias'. I guess you are not the brightess bulb in the shop, eh DOC!!!!!!! What are you a doctor of: Proctology?????

I know this is hard for pea-brains like you to comprehend but there are people who care about other people. Robin is one of them. My wife is an inspiration to many and one of her inspirations is Robin! If the republican party is full of people like you who only care about themselves, than good riddance!

Bill, the truth is an ugly thing!!!! And its not always a republican thing as I am a Dem, like you only I can face the facts. THIS IS NOT NEWS WORTHY, CNN JUST NEEDS THEIR TEAR JERKER STORY FOR TODAY and have suckers like you cry!!!!

I was wrong on my first post. There always has to be a handful of azzholes who have to drag politics into a story about Robin & her Mom who are both battling illnesses. What the heck is wrong with you people? If you want to rant & rave, go to a political blog. In case you hadn't noticed, most of the folks that have posted were leaving their best wishes for their recovery. But you, you talk garbage. Idiots!

Sending love and good thoughts your way, Robin, as your begin another "adventure!" Remember, it's about the journey and not the destination. You have shown such courage and grace, and you are an inspiration to us all.

Many prayers are coming your way for your return to health and for your mother's health also. You have fought many battles with strength, faith and courage and I know you will do the same going forward. I hope the prayers of so many will be of help and comfort to you on your journey. See you soon back on GMA

Robin: You are a brave lady and all your fans wish you the best. Everything happens for a reason I believe. Hurry back to GMT as we will miss seeing you every weekday morning. Best wishes and hope your Mom gets better soon!

Robin, you and your family are in my prayers. I think you are the best host on TV. You have accomplished so much in your life and still have so much to give. I got a great laugh when I saw you back in your hometown driving the school bus!! I miss you and Diane together – you guys were the best together. It seems like you have a great freind there, I'm sure she will be by your side. Robin, I have asked my Mother's prayer group to add you to their list.
Looking forward to your return on GMA.

Robin,
Watching you every morning before getting ready for work makes my day. You are such an inspiration and a breaht of fresh air. Your spirit and beauty knows no bound. Without saying much i know that you are a child of God and God does not give his child what they cannot bear. All will be well with you and your mother. Just call on our heavenly father and he will unburden your heavy loads.
Chal

Hi Robin i want u to know my prayers are with u and also your mom!!!!!!! Hope to see u back on gma soon. It wasnt long i think maybe 2 weeks ago my sister Louise was on there with 2 of her friends. They were on with Lara and her partner on Good Afternoon America!!!!!!

I did elder care for 13 years. It is a smelly job and the older folks often become confused and mean. They sure can say some mean hurtful things. That's why I try to keep an odd good sense of humor all the time. Pooooop

Robin, My prayers are certainly with you. You are such a beautiful person, both inside and out. May God's richest blessings be with you, your sister and mother. Looking forward to seeing you later on GMA.

i don't understand how you can say such nonsense with all they are going through and as if this world of ours was in such great shape. all i can say is God bless you and your family. i respect you very much. also God bless our world.

i don't understand how you can say such nonsense with all they are going through and as if this world of ours was in such great shape. all i can say is God bless you and your family Robin. i respect you very much. also God bless our world.

Like you, Stephanie, I was in tears too. Robin is such an inspiration. May God bless and protect her. I hope to see her fully recovered soon. It's amazing all the our pouring of love Robin has received and the many people who have been enlightened by her bravery. Then again, that speaks to her presence and personality. She is super! You go, Robin. Best of luck!

I like Robin, but IS THIS NEWS WORTHTY????? CNN get a grip with your sway to the American people and your BIAS.
I can't wait for November 6 when your CRONIE will be out of a job and unemployed like the rest of his Black Brothers.
Yea, to the 41% of you brothers who are out of work because of your Brother from Kenya, the HOMELAND!!!!!!

There just had to be one azzhole who would bring politics into a story about a woman & her mom with a very serious illness. Not to mention that little bit of racism, too. You are a loser. Go hang your head in shame!

Dear Bro, I am sitting here on my lunch break catching up on the news when I happen to come across your remark. You seem like an angry, hateful, bitter, little man who does not have enough to do but belittle, disgrace, and call people names. You are a true example of what it means to be un-American. You are disgusting. Thank you and have a nice day.

My mom used to say if you don't have anything nice to say, then you should say nothing at all. Apparently, YOUR mom failed miserable with you. Crawl back to the nest of vile revulsion you came from. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

Amy, get a grip. I am a Democrat and very upset by the fact that Obama is destroying America with my black brothers being unemployed at 41% but, you are too pathetic to know the difference because all you white folks want to ride the BLACK TRAIN!!!!! Also I can say this because I am Black and fought in Vietnam for your Country so you can run your pathetic faces. I just love the way us Liberals are swayed by the media like melted butter, real smart!!!!

Funny, I am Black but a racist. You people are the problem in this country. To make a statement that Barrack Obama is a great President not only shows me your pathetic intellect level. When are you people going to start thinking with that gray matter between your ears???? Barrack Obama's plan is too bankrupt this country and have it in the same 3rd world shape as AFRICA, where he came from. And I will make my point again. WHY IS THIS NEWS WORTHY????
rOBIN IS NO DIFFERENT THAT ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING WITH A LIFE ALTERING CONDITION, YOU MORONS!!!!!

Robin~
You are in my continued prayers! You are a special gift from heaven and have been used in so many ways to touch so many lives. You are a blessing and know that prayers are going up for you and you sister as you fight together to win this battle and for your loving mother. May his grace, mercy, and favor continue to follow you!!!

Praying for you and your family, Robin. It helps. I know firsthand with a hubby who is a 4 surgery over 10 years cancer survivor and a 92 yr old Mom well on the mend from a hip fracture. Hang in there everyone loves you.

Good Morning Robin, Today I was moved to tears watching you on Godd Morning America, My husband was diagnosed with mylodisplacia in 2011 he unfortunatley did not have a donor match for treatment. This form of cancer is very close to my heart. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, I will be following your medical journey, each day will be a new beginning, hang in there and I will be looking forward to you returning to Godd Morning America sharing your story. Hugs Chris

Praying for you and your mother for a speedy recovery. You make my day every morning when I am watching GMA. It will not be the same with out you. You can keep the guys on their toes. looking forward to you coming back. Hang in there and God is with you and your family.

It's hard enough to deal with your own illness, but to compound it with your Mother's, just shows how unfair life can be. I wish you & your Mother a speedy & full recovery. Hang tough, a lot of people are pulling for you.